Recycling of end-of-life vehicles and electrical and electronic equipment waste: Current state-of-the-art, challenges and opportunities in a circular economy

The increasing production levels of electrical and electronic equipment, vehicles, and recent product applications using composite materials are leading to unprecedented quantities of waste material. This waste must be managed for a wide range of reasons: health, environmental issues, ethical considerations, and because much of the waste represents valuable resources that could be recovered. One purpose of this study is to present and categorise the wealth of research that has been carried out since 2011, so that other researchers may quickly find the prior work relevant to their own interests. A second purpose is to recognise strengths in the existing body of research and to identify areas that merit more attention. From a managerial perspective, the review highlights how informed waste‑management strategies can reduce operational costs, support compliance goals, and strengthen long‑term sustainability planning. Finally, it has been noted that while many strategies exist for waste management, the area with the greatest potential for further research, increased product cost savings, and highest product sustainability is the strategy of “Design for End of Life”.